IU quarterbacks coach Shawn Watson was named Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator Thursday evening, Pitt announced in a press release.
“As a football coach, he is extremely knowledgeable, an excellent recruiter and will be a tremendous strength in the quarterback room and offensive staff room,” Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi said in the release. “I’m really looking forward to having Shawn and his wife Anita join us in Pittsburgh.”
Narduzzi and Watson coached together in the early 1990s when Narduzzi got his first opportunity as a wide receivers coach at Miami (Ohio). Watson was promoted to quarterbacks coach and running game coordinator at the school and was a mentor for Narduzzi, the Pitt coach said in the release.
“Ever since that time, we have always talked about being able to reunite on the same staff again,” Narduzzi said. “I’m really thrilled that the time has finally arrived and he’ll be joining us at Pitt as our new offensive coordinator.”
Watson held a quality control role at IU during the 2016 regular season after previously coaching quarterbacks at Texas and Louisville. He coached Teddy Bridgewater at Louisville. He was also offensive coordinator at Colorado, Nebraska and Louisville.
At the beginning of January, IU Coach Tom Allen named Watson as IU’s quarterbacks coach after Watson coached the position for the Foster Farms Bowl on Dec. 28. Watson said he was excited to work with new IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and developed a fondness for Allen’s passion.
Watson was also the primary recruiter for 2017 quarterback commit Nick Tronti, who was named Florida’s Mr. Football and signed his letter of intent for IU on Wednesday.
Pitt finished 8-5 in 2016 and suffered a 34-31 loss in the Pinstripe Bowl against Northwestern.
Taylor Lehman
